Ethnic gap in coronary artery disease: comparison of the extent, severity, and risk factors in Arab and Jewish middle-aged women

The authors examined risk factors and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) among Jewish and Arab women in Jerusalem, where Arab women were found to have worse outcome. All angiographically confirmed cases of CAD among women aged 45 to 65 years who were hospitalized during 1990 to 1995 consisted of 40 Arab and 179 Jewish patients. Arab women had more atypical clinical presentations (P<.0001) and more extensive CAD (P=.0016) despite younger age (53+/-3 vs 55+/-5 years; P<.0003) and lesser smoking (P<.0006). The Arab women, however, were more likely to be obese (80% vs 46%; P=.0002), be physically inactive (100% vs 89%; P=.0285), and have diabetes mellitus (73% vs 40%; P=.0004). Moreover, they were more likely to have 3 or more risk factors (45% vs 23%; P=.036). Thus, a combination of an atypical presentation and higher risk (ie, diabetes mellitus combined with hypertension and other risk factors) and much more extensive disease readily explains their worse outcome.     

Determinants of severity of left ventricular dysfunction in Australian men and women with coronary disease aged 65 years or less

Background: The degree of left ventricular (LV) impairment is an important determinant of long term outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: We aimed to determine variables predictive of the severity of LV dysfunction in men and women aged 65 years or less with CAD, and to quantitate their contributions. Methods: We documented atherogenic variables and extent of LV impairment and CAD severity at angiography in 521 consecutively studied men and women aged 65 years or less (381 males and 140 females). We assessed severity from an LV impairment score (Green Lane) and the ejection fraction. We related severity to quantitative and categorical variables which included the severity of angina (no angina, stable and unstable angina). Results: The LV impairment score correlated closely (negatively) with the ejection fraction (r = -0.783, p= 0.0001). There were eight variables independently predictive of the severity of LV impairment assessed by the LV score. The variables in descending order of relative importance in predicting the LV scores were past history of myocardial infarction (MI), number of significantly diseased vessels (> 50% luminal obstruction), life-time smoking dose, log-triglycerides, total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, hypertension, age and Body Mass Index (BMI). They were all positive relationships. Together they correctly classified the LV scores of 52.6% of the patients. Gender was not an independent contributor to the LV score when other variables were controlled. When the contributions to the variance in LV scores of past history of MI (15.4%) and number of significantly diseased vessels (2.6%) were controlled, life-time smoking dose independently explained 2.1% (p0.01) of the variance. The LV impairment score was 55% higher in heavy smokers than in non-smokers (p = 0.01). When we compared patients with stable and unstable angina, LV scores are higher and ejection fraction lower in the unstable angina patients consistent with them having a greater degree of LV dysfunction. Conclusion: We conclude that variables other than a history of MI and CAD severity contribute significantly to the variance of the degree in LV impairment in CAD patients among which the life-time smoking dose, triglycerides, TC/HDL-C, hypertension and increased BMI are all relevant to prevention, and that patients with unstable vs stable angina usually have more impaired LV function. (Aust NZ J Med 1995; 25; 309–315.)     

Lipoprotein predictors of the severity of coronary artery disease in men and women

In this study we examined the relationships between levels of several components of plasma lipoproteins and severity of coronary artery disease in 65 men and 42 women who underwent coronary arteriography for suspected coronary disease. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was scored as the extent of disease seen at arteriography. Univariate analyses of the relationships between the plasma lipoprotein parameters and score for severity of atherosclerosis revealed a marked difference between men and women. In men, the score for severity of atherosclerosis was strongly related to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations, whereas in women it was related to the triglyceride concentrations in plasma intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and LDL and to the cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in IDL. The significance of these correlations was not negated by possible confounding factors such as alcohol intake, diabetes, and treatment with thiazides and beta-adrenergic blockers. Stepwise regression analyses of data adjusted for weight and age indicated that 22% of the variation in the score for severity of atherosclerosis could be accounted for by levels of LDL cholesterol in men. No other lipoprotein parameter could account for any further variation. In contrast, cholesterol did not account for any variation in the score for severity of atherosclerosis in women, whereas plasma triglyceride accounted for 16% of the observed variation in this group. No relationships were found between score for severity of atherosclerosis and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or plasma apolipoprotein A-I concentrations in either group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Analysis of selected risk factors of coronary artery disease in a healthy population aged 35-55 years

BACKGROUND: This report comprises an analysis of results of examinations performed as a part of a cardiovascular disease prevention programme funded by the National Health Fund. AIM: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities in an ethnically homogeneous population of males and females aged 35 to 55 years with sense of full health without prior diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. METHODS: The study was carried out in the population of a 175,000-resident city during 9 months, involving 1080 subjects (696 females and 384 males) aged 35 to 55 years (mean age - 47.2+/-5.4). The following variables were assessed: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body weight and height, BMI, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels. RESULTS: The studied male population had significantly higher blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol levels compared to age-matched females. The female population was found to have a more prominent relationship between increased BMI and blood pressure, blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels than males. Significant differences in favour of females regarding systolic blood pressure, blood glucose and serum cholesterol failed to be present in the obese women subgroup (no statistically significant differences were found compared to obese males). In females aged 45 to 55 years, significantly higher body weight, blood pressure as well as blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were observed than in younger women (35-45 years old). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity are associated with increase of arterial blood pressure, lipid metabolism disturbances and elevation of blood glucose. The relationship between BMI and studied risk factors was influenced by age and gender. Menopause is associated with increasing body weight and unfavourable evolution of studied risk factors.     

The association of body fat distribution with hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, coronary heart disease, diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors in men and women aged 18-79 years

To confirm the reported association of body fat distribution with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, blood pressure and serum cholesterol, data from the 1960-62 Health Examination Survey were analyzed. In this sample drawn from the noninstitutionalized population of the United States aged 18-79, mean values of two indices of upper versus lower body fat distribution increased steadily with age. Men had higher values than women, and black women had higher values than white women. Higher values of the indices were significantly associated with higher blood pressure, post-load serum glucose and greater prevalence of definite hypertension and definite hypertensive heart disease independent of multiple confounders. Associations with higher serum cholesterol and definite coronary heart disease prevalence were independent of overall ponderosity but not of age and multiple other confounders. Greater abdominal relative to lower body fat deposits were independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk in men and women, blacks and whites.     

Relationship between risk factors and ischaemic heart disease mortality in a representative sample of men aged 45-59 years in Kaunas

The results of a 7-year prospective follow-up of a representative sample of men aged 45-49 years living in Kaunas, who were initially examined within the framework of the Kaunas-Rotterdam Intervention Study, are presented. The relationship was investigated between systolic and diastolic hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking impaired glucose tolerance on the one hand, and mortality (total and from ischaemic heart disease) on the other hand. The main cause of death in the studied series were cardiovascular diseases (38.7%); of these, in 62% of cases ischaemic heart disease. Among subjects who had been found healthy at screening, the most unfavourable prognosis as regards mortality from ischaemic heart disease, had men with hypertension.     

Relationship between extent of coronary artery disease and correlative risk factors.

An analysis was made of correlative factors which might be related to the angiographically measured extent of coronary artery disease in 140 patients. All patients presented with clinically important chest pain. Thirty-three had a normal coronary arteriogram. The extent of the atheromatous process was measured precisely at angiography by three different techniques. A coronary score, based on the percentage of luminal narrowing, was found to be best suited for the analysis. The most important contributory factors to the severity of atherosclerosis was duration of clinical history, number of previous myocardial infarctions, and male sex, but more specifically elevation of serum cholesterol and diabetes mellitus. Cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension, a family history of atherosclerosis, and elevated serum triglycerides had a positive influence but this was not statistically significant.     

Prevalence of risk factors in men with premature coronary artery disease

The prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol less than 35 mg/dl) was determined in 321 men less than 60 years of age (mean +/- standard deviation 50 +/- 7) with premature coronary artery disease (CAD) documented at coronary angiography. The prevalence of these risk factors was markedly different than in the Framingham Offspring Study population, used here as a comparison group. In the patients with CAD, only 3% had no risk factor (other than male sex), compared with 31% in the Framingham Offspring Study subjects. Most patients with CAD (97%) had greater than or equal to 1 additional risk factor. When the patients with CAD were divided by age groups (40 to 49 years [n = 109], 50 to 59 [n = 191]), no significant differences were observed in the prevalence of risk factors between the young and older patients. The prevalence of systemic hypertension (41 vs 19%, p less than 0.001), diabetes mellitus (12 vs 1.1%, p less than 0.001), cigarette smoking (67 vs 28%, p less than 0.001) and HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg/dl (63 vs 19%, p less than 0.001) was markedly higher in the patients with CAD than in Framingham Offspring Study subjects, whereas the prevalence of LDL cholesterol greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl was not significantly different between patients with CAD and Framingham Offspring Study subjects (26 vs 26%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

急性冠脉综合征危险因素与冠状动脉病变严重程度相关性分析

【摘要】 目的 探讨急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者危险因素与冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关性。方法 纳入于我院心脏中心行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的ACS患者296例,采用Gensini评分评价冠状动脉病变严重程度,对比分析不同程度冠脉病变患者的基线资料特点,应用双变量相关分析、多元线性逐步回归和Logistic回归分析ACS危险因素与冠状动脉病变严重程度之间的相关性。结果 (1)冠状动脉中、重度病变组患者的年龄、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-L)、N末端B型钠尿肽前体（NT-ProBNP）、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、高敏肌钙蛋白T(hs-cTnT)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)水平、Gensini评分均高于轻度病变组,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05)。重度病变组患者的空腹血糖(FBG)水平高于轻度病变组,肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、Gensini评分水平高于中度病变组,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05)。(2)双变量相关分析发现ACS患者危险因素中LDL-C、FBG、NT-ProBNP、hs-CRP、CK-MB与冠状动脉Gensini评分均呈正相关(相关系数r值分别为0.206、0.240、0.524、0.617、0.291,均P<0.05),HDL-C与Gensini评分负相关(r＝-0.286,P＜0.05)。(3)多元线性逐步回归分析提示NT-ProBNP、hs-CRP、CK-MB为冠状动脉Gensini评分独立预测因子(β分别为0.161、0.127、0.144,均P＜0.05)。(4)多元Logistic回归分析示,NT-ProBNP和hs-CRP与冠脉病变程度独立相关,0R(95%CI)分别为1.015(1.000～1.210),1.028(1.001～1.155),均P＜0.05。结论 急性冠脉综合征患者NT-ProBNP、hs-CRP水平与Gensini评分呈正相关,是冠状动脉病变程度的独立危险因素。     

Alcohol consumption and severity of angiographically determined coronary artery disease in Japanese men and women

The relation of alcohol consumption to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was examined among 323 men and 220 women who underwent coronary arteriography. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by the number of vessels obstructed > or =75% in diameter and Gensini's severity score. Alcohol consumption was divided into 5 categories in men (never, past, 1-24, 25-49, and > or =50 ml per day) and 3 categories in women (never, past, and current). Among men, odds ratios of severe stenosis (multiple-vessel disease or Gensini's score >15) decreased substantially and significantly in all current drinking categories but without dose-response effect. There was a weak, inverse association of current alcohol consumption with one-vessel disease, but not with moderate stenosis in terms of Gensini's score (< or =15). Past drinkers showed a fairly large, but statistically nonsignificant, decrease in the odds ratios of not only severe stenosis but also of moderate stenosis. Among women, current drinkers showed a small, statistically nonsignificant decrease in the risk of severe stenosis in terms of Gensini's score. These associations with alcohol use did not change after adjustment for known coronary risk factors. The present findings add to evidence that alcohol drinking confers protection against coronary atherosclerosis.     

Correlation of TIMI risk score with angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes

Aim of study

To determine whether the TIMI risk score correlates with the angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Patients and method

We conducted a retrospective review of 239 medical records of patients who underwent coronary angiography secondary to non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome between 2002 and 2006. Patients were classified into three groups according to TIMI risk score: TIMI scores 0 to 2 (group 1: n = 121), 3 to 4 (group 2: n = 100), and 5 to 7 (group 3: n = 18). We compared the coronary angiography findings of the three groups.

Results

Patients of group 1 had a greater likelihood of normal or non significant CAD than patients of group 2 (36.3 % vs 13 %, P < 0.001) and than patients of group 3 (36.3 % vs 0 %, P = 0.002). One-vessel disease was found more often in patients with TIMI score 0 to 2 than in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7 (28.9 % vs 0 %; P = 0.01), and in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 than in those with score 5 to 7 (35 % vs 0 %, P = 0.006). However, 1-vessel disease was found in patients of group 1 as often as in patients of group 2. The frequency of two-vessel disease was similar whatever the level of TIMI score was low, intermediate or high. Three-vessel or left main disease was more likely found in patients of group 3 than in patients of group 2 (66.7 % vs 26 %; P = 0.01), and than patients of group 1 (66.7 % vs 13.2 %; P < 0.001). Chronic coronary occlusions and coronary calcifications were also more likely found in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7.

Conclusion

In patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization, the TIMI risk score correlated with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.     

The impact of cardiovascular risk factors on the site and extent of coronary artery disease

Background: In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), the site and extent of coronary artery involvement in terms of proximal versus distal stenosis and multi- versus single-vessel disease have a crucial effect on patients' outcome. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and the site and extent of coronary artery involvement. Methods: In this study of patients who had undergone coronary angiography in our hospital, 125 with proximal lesions were enrolled as the case group (group 1) and an equal age- and gender-matched number of patients with non-proximal lesions were selected as the control group (group 2). The two groups were compared based on the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension (HTN) and cigarette smoking. Results: The frequency of DM was 33.6 and 10.4% in the case and control groups, respectively, which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). However, the frequency of hypercholesterolaemia in the case and control groups was 30.4 and 29.6% (p = 0.89), respectively; for hypertriglyceridaemia it was 19.2 and 16.8% (p = 0.062), respectively; for HTN it was 33.6 and 28.8% (p = 0.4), respectively; and for cigarette smoking it was 28.8 and 39.2% (p = 0.08), respectively, which were not statistically significant. Diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics had more multi-vessel disease (89.1 vs 61%, p < 0.0001, respectively), which was statistically significant. There was no relationship between hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, HTN and cigarette smoking and extent (multi-vessel involvement) of CAD (p = NS). Conclusion: Proximal and multi-vessel involvement of the coronary arteries in patients with CAD was related to a history of DM but not of hypercholesterolaemia, HTN, cigarette smoking and hypertiglyceridaemia.     

老年女性冠心病相关因素分析

目的探讨老年女性冠心病患者患病相关因素分析。方法选择临床诊断为可疑冠心病的老年女性患者139例,根据冠状动脉造影结果分为冠心病组(71例)和对照组(68例),观察年龄、体重、吸烟、停经时间、血尿酸水平、血压、血脂、糖尿病、骨质疏松与冠心病的相关性,进一步分析其相关的危险因素。结果冠心病组与对照组在肥胖、吸烟、过早停经、血尿酸增高、高血压、高脂血症、糖尿病、骨质疏松方面差异有统计学意义(P0.01);年龄在2组间的分布差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。老年女性冠心病的危险因素是糖尿病和骨质疏松。结论冠心病是一种多因素疾病,对于老年女性而言,糖尿病、骨质疏松可能是其发病的危险因素;吸烟、高血压、高脂血症、过早停经、肥胖、血尿酸增高等因素可能与其发病有关。     

Independent and incremental value of coronary artery calcium for predicting the extent of angiographic coronary artery disease: comparison with cardiac risk factors and radionuclide perfusion imaging.

OBJECTIVES: The study was done to test the ability to predict the extent of angiographically determined coronary artery disease (CAD) by quantification of coronary calcium using electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) and to compare it with more conventional parameters for delineating the angiographic extent of CAD, that is, cardiovascular risk factors and radionuclide single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). BACKGROUND: The angiographic extent of CAD is a powerful predictor of subsequent events. Use of EBCT may be able to define it by virtue of its ability to determine plaque burden. METHODS: We examined 308 patients presenting with suspected but not previously known CAD who underwent selective coronary angiography. As measures of the angiographic extent of CAD, coronary artery greater even 20 (CAGE > or =20) and CAGE > or =50 scores represented the total number of coronary segments with > or =20% or > or =50% stenoses, respectively. The EBCT-derived total calcium scores were obtained in 291 patients, risk factors as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program in 239 patients, and SPECT scans in 136 patients. RESULTS: Using multiple linear regression analysis, total calcium scores were better independent predictors of both CAGE > or =20 and CAGE > or =50 scores than either a SPECT-derived radionuclide perfusion score or the risk factors age, male gender and ratio of total/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The association between EBCT and angiographic scores remained highly significant after excluding the influence of all interrelated risk factors and SPECT variables (r = 0.65; p < 0.001 for CAGE > or =20 scores, r = 0.50; p < 0.001 for CAGE > or =50 scores). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary calcium predicts the angiographic extent of CAD in symptomatic patients and provides independent and incremental information to the more conventional clinical parameters derived from SPECT or risk assessment.     

Relation between coronary disease risk factors and mortality among men aged 40-59 years in the city of Frunze (5-year follow-up)]

The paper presents the dynamics of risk factors which was traced during prophylactic medical examinations and its relation to death rates among 40-59-year-old males from Frunze over 5 years. Prophylactic measures were found to lead to a positive dynamics of risk factors such as smoking, low physical activity, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension in groups of active prevention. There was a decrease in death rates due to cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, among individuals with arterial hypertension, obesity, and low activity in the same group.     

45岁以下胸痛女性冠心病特点分析

目的:探讨中青年女性(<45岁)冠心病(CHD)患病的特点。方法:230例中青年女性(<45岁)胸痛患者按冠脉造影结果分为冠心病(CHD)组和非CHD组,比较两组患者危险因素及无创检查的结果。结果:中青年女性胸痛患者CHD检出率为10%,其中单支病变者占78.3%;CHD组高脂血症,高血压发病率显著高于非CHD组(P<0.01),而无创检查阳性率两组差异无显著性,且假阳性率高。结论:中青年女性胸痛患者CHD患病率低,高脂血症、高血压是其患病主要危险因素;无创检查对中青年女性CHD的诊断价值有限。